Castle Rock rallies for beloved 18-year-old dog
CASTLE ROCK, Wash. (AP) - Bear Dog has a new fishing pole and treats galore.
And when the time comes, the 18-year-old black Lab mix is ensured a peaceful end.
Since The Daily News published an article Sunday about Bear Dog, the popular Castle Rock canine known for frequenting the North County Recreation Sports Complex had received a slew of visitors, gifts and phone calls, owner Don Caulfield said Monday.
"Every time I turn around, there's something," said Caulfield, 62, a retired trucker.
The ink on Bear Dog's article was barely dry when well-wishers began showing up Sunday morning at Caulfield's mobile home on Mosier Road. A woman told Caulfield she'd already arranged with her veterinarian to "adopt" Bear Dog. She would pay for Bear's medical treatment - and, if necessary, the cost of putting the old boy to sleep, Caulfield said, calling her a "wonderful, wonderful lady."
"He'll be well taken care of," Caulfield promised. "I really appreciate everybody offering."
When Caulfield got home from church, people were parked in front of his mobile home, and Bear Dog was looking out the window. A man had a new fishing pole for him. Bear, who loved joining fishermen at the Cowlitz River in his younger days, had his own pole until it was stolen a year ago.
Another man brought over a top sirloin steak, a roast and a big tub of dog bones for Bear and Bear's sidekick Tommy, a Dachshund/ yellow Lab mix. Someone else brought over real bear-meat sausage.
Caulfield is thrilled and deeply touched by the attention to his loyal friend. A couple of months ago, he thought it was over for Bear, and Caulfield even started digging a grave. Bear's back legs suddenly stopped working, and he had to crawl. Because Caulfield couldn't afford the vet's $150 euthanasia fee, he considered shooting Bear Dog to put him out of his misery. But neither Caulfield nor his friends or children had the stomach to pull the trigger.
Then Bear Dog fell down the porch steps, tweaked his back - and miraculously regained his ability to walk.
Monday, Bear Dog sat under a cedar tree and groomed himself "all pretty," as if he was preparing for visitors, Caulfield said.
"If you see him right now, he's all soft, furry and clean," he said.
Bear Dog had a big day. A KATU 2 news team from Portland came up to film a segment on him. He greeted kids who were walking by. When Caulfield returned home from Longview, more people were waiting to see Bear Dog, who barreled onto the porch to meet them.
By late Monday afternoon, a tuckered out Bear Dog was snoring away in front of a heater in Caulfield's living room.
"He's soaking this stuff right up," Caulfield said. "It's like he's making a liar out of me - 'I'm not ready to go yet.'"
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Information from: The Daily News
And when the time comes, the 18-year-old black Lab mix is ensured a peaceful end.
Since The Daily News published an article Sunday about Bear Dog, the popular Castle Rock canine known for frequenting the North County Recreation Sports Complex had received a slew of visitors, gifts and phone calls, owner Don Caulfield said Monday.
"Every time I turn around, there's something," said Caulfield, 62, a retired trucker.
The ink on Bear Dog's article was barely dry when well-wishers began showing up Sunday morning at Caulfield's mobile home on Mosier Road. A woman told Caulfield she'd already arranged with her veterinarian to "adopt" Bear Dog. She would pay for Bear's medical treatment - and, if necessary, the cost of putting the old boy to sleep, Caulfield said, calling her a "wonderful, wonderful lady."
"He'll be well taken care of," Caulfield promised. "I really appreciate everybody offering."
When Caulfield got home from church, people were parked in front of his mobile home, and Bear Dog was looking out the window. A man had a new fishing pole for him. Bear, who loved joining fishermen at the Cowlitz River in his younger days, had his own pole until it was stolen a year ago.
Another man brought over a top sirloin steak, a roast and a big tub of dog bones for Bear and Bear's sidekick Tommy, a Dachshund/ yellow Lab mix. Someone else brought over real bear-meat sausage.
Caulfield is thrilled and deeply touched by the attention to his loyal friend. A couple of months ago, he thought it was over for Bear, and Caulfield even started digging a grave. Bear's back legs suddenly stopped working, and he had to crawl. Because Caulfield couldn't afford the vet's $150 euthanasia fee, he considered shooting Bear Dog to put him out of his misery. But neither Caulfield nor his friends or children had the stomach to pull the trigger.
Then Bear Dog fell down the porch steps, tweaked his back - and miraculously regained his ability to walk.
Monday, Bear Dog sat under a cedar tree and groomed himself "all pretty," as if he was preparing for visitors, Caulfield said.
"If you see him right now, he's all soft, furry and clean," he said.
Bear Dog had a big day. A KATU 2 news team from Portland came up to film a segment on him. He greeted kids who were walking by. When Caulfield returned home from Longview, more people were waiting to see Bear Dog, who barreled onto the porch to meet them.
By late Monday afternoon, a tuckered out Bear Dog was snoring away in front of a heater in Caulfield's living room.
"He's soaking this stuff right up," Caulfield said. "It's like he's making a liar out of me - 'I'm not ready to go yet.'"
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Information from: The Daily News
I have one of those "manly" dogs. A miniature dachshund. I hope that I go before she does, because if it's the other way around, THIS ol cowboy is going to be a wreck for a while. It's amazing how much compassion people can have for animals, but I suppose if you really look at it closely, if PEOPLE had the same kind of loyalty and undying devotion as my girl does.......we'd like people as much as dogs. Maybe someday. You go Bear Dog......keep on keepin on you old, loved pooch.
Happy Birthday Bear Dog !!!Â
God bless you Bear Dog. My Picky was 15 years old when he died in 2010. The loss was immense as they are truly members of the family. Thank you ALL fo rall you are doing for this precious little guy
This is for Bear Dog's friend.
http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm
This is where my best friend is waiting for me.
ââ¦.Men have forgotten this truthâ¦but you must not forget it. You are forever responsible for what you have tamed.â âThe Fox, âThe Little Princeâ
Going to pick at the writer: Why specify that he lives in a "mobile home" (we call them manufactured homes; they're not really mobile) ? Why not "house" or simply "home"? Almost makes the man sound destitute and helpless, when there's no reason for that. Specifying what type of structure it is may be useful in describing a fire or whatnot.
Anyway, people are good, and caring, and helpful, and how nice that the old boy and his human companion get to spend some more comfortable days. :] Â Bear fishes. Cute, does he prefer salmon? What a handsome dog!
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."Â Â Â Â - Unknown
@Jordan  As soon as I read it, I turned and looked at my own devoted friends, 2 chi's, and know already how special these animals are. Some people could benefit from learning what these amazing creatures instinctively already know.
@Jordan Love it.
@Jordan OK, that got me chocked up. Love it!
Refreshing story compared to the everyday news line.Â
@The206Â I noticed on another news site, that they have a large section called "what's right" and it's nice stories. Â They balance out the awful stuff with good stories. Â All sites should do that.Â
wow... 18? Way to go
@TruthinAdvertsI've had a miniature poodle mix reach 20+ years, and the only reason it wasn't more was that he had trouble breathing.
Plus, he had been blind since he was 10!
When we moved a tree in the backyard he came out to do his business, the new location was right in his path - he walked right into it, stepped back and shook his head, then walked around it and continued walking. On the way back, he got 6 inches away from the tree, turned and walked around it and back into the house...
They are indeed the most cherished of friends, and with us for far too short of a time.
@OrcasThunder
It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are. - AnonymousWow - amazing and beautiful story! Â Love that ol' Bear! Â 18 years of good care from this guy - that's the way to do it, and when he needed help, people stepped up. Â Fabulous!Â
Wowee, 18 is old for a small dog, but extremely elderly for a big guy like Bear Dog. Â What a testament to the love and care he's received! Â He probably had a herniated disc problem that caused his paralysis and the fall may have popped the disc right back where it needed to be. Â Very, very sweet story. Â Big hugs and kisses, Bear Dog!
This is such a sweet story! My old 90lbs dog Max had similar problems, she had arthritis in her back end and at 15 1/2 yrs old we had to put here to sleep after she fell down our front porch stairs and couldn't control her bladder. It's so good to here about the love and support old Bear Dog is getting, 18 is pretty dang old for that breed.
what a precious fella :D
Dog are the best! Would'nt trade my pup for the world.
Gotta love animals. : ) Â : )